It's been exactly one year since I signed my first contract with Entranced Publishing. My debut novel, Time Changes Everything was then released in May 2013. Since signing in August 2012, I've signed three other novels and have two more waiting for a home. So, in honor of my one year, I've bundled up a bunch of newbie tips for newbies out there!
Tip #1: Don’t give
up! Yeah, yeah, this is completely clichéd, I know. But, I almost gave
up. I began writing Time Changes
Everything seven years ago while on maternity leave. Then mothering got in
the way and I had to put it to the side. If it weren’t for my husband giving me
a little push to finish the novel last year, I wouldn’t have. So, even if you
have to put your writing to the side, don’t forget to get back to it once the
inspiration hits again.
Tip #2: Do your
research on publishers! I’m a Harlequin girl. Since I was a teenager, I
had stacks of Harlequin category romance next to my bed. After receiving a
rejection from them on Time Changes
Everything – I was heartbroken. What we writers need to realize is that
there are more than one romance publisher out there. Actually, there are many
fabulous publishers – including small presses who I’ve had the best experiences
with. Check them out on Duotrope.com or google the different sites. You'll find a good match somewhere!
Tip #3: Find
untraditional ways to submit your work! I love this tip, because with my first two publishers, I did not take the traditional route –
sending a query and partial through email, waiting months for the news, etc.
With Time Changes Everything, I saw a
pitch contest on www.romanceuniviersity.com
website with Entranced Publishing. So, I decided to go for it (see Tip #1). I’m
so happy I did. I pitched my story and within a few weeks had contract in hand.
I secured my second contract with Crimson Romance through a Twitter pitch
session earlier this year. Yep. I sold my book to the editor with a 140-line
pitch. Two weeks later, I had a book deal! So, again, find untraditional
routes. It’s quicker, it’s fun and it’s great practice. Here’s a post I wrote
about my pitching experience and places you can find to pitch your book:
Tip #4: Know the
editing tricks of the trade! I had a major newbie fail with Time Changes Everything. I’d never heard
of Track Changes in word, so when I first edited my novel, I didn’t use track
changes. FAIL! I had to teach myself how to use the program and I’m glad I did.
It seems this is the way editors work with writers in the industry. Here’s an
explanation of my experience and a simple guide to help you if you don’t know
about Track Changes: http://melindadozier.blogspot.com/2012/12/road-to-publishing-major-newbie-author.html
Tip #5: You will
have to kill your little darlings! When you first get your edits back,
be ready to cry, shout, scream, yell, throw things – because it’s painful. Your
‘baby’ will be practically eaten alive. Opening up your edits and seeing red
marks all over it is quite disarming at first. My advice is to sit down with a
glass of wine, take a deep breath, open the document and read through. Then set
it aside for a day – take it all in – and realize that your editor knows what
he or she is doing. They’re the expert. Their goal is to sell your book, not
torture you. Then when you’re ready, get to work. As Steven King said, “kill
your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little
scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings.”
Tip #6: Make your
presence known! You want exposure and you want to find out all you can
about the industry. Create an online presence. Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads,
Pinterest are all great places to create your brand. You can also make lifelong
author friends. Both my editors have told me that a writer’s online presence is
important to them. They check writer’s out before signing them. If you need to
create a blog, do it NOW! And if you want to follow me, find me on Twitter www.twitter.com/melindadozier.
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